Amazing Education Podcast

On this episode, we’re joined by Carolyn Jons, a longtime Ames school board member and influential leader in public education. Recently honored by the Iowa Association of School Boards, Carolyn reflects on her roots in Ames, her decades of leadership, and what strong school governance means for the future of public education.

In this episode, we’re talking with Ames High science teachers about how they’re bringing creativity and curiosity into the classroom through hands-on, real-world learning. From innovative lab experiences to the “What’s in Your Watershed?” project, these educators are redefining what it means to teach—and think—like a scientist.

In this episode, we’re joined by Shaeley Santiago, our English Learner Coordinator, to talk about what effective coaching and support look like for multilingual learners. Shaeley shares how relationship-building, collaboration, and coaching create classrooms where every student, and every teacher, can thrive.

In this episode, we talk with Ames High boys wrestling coach Andy Fecht about the growth, culture, and goals of the wrestling program. He shares insights on developing student-athletes, building a strong team mindset, and what’s ahead for Little Cyclone wrestling.

In this episode, we’re talking with Ames High senior Adalyn McKeag, whose passion for food security and environmental sustainability has taken her many places outside the walls of AHS. Join us as Adalyn shares what drives her work, what she’s learned from these experiences, and how she hopes to make a lasting impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Anna Fagervik, a Family Resource Support Advocate and the Homeless Liaison in our District, to learn how she helps families navigate challenges and access vital resources. By building trust and community connections, Anna shares how her work empowers students to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. 

In this episode, Ames High science teacher Mike Todd shares his excitement about receiving a STEM BEST® Program grant. This grant launched a new course he hopes inspires students to see science as a tool for making real change in their communities by tackling issues such as food insecurity and sustainability.

On this episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Ames High teacher Alex Grapp. We’re talking about how to bring language arts to life by tapping into what students actually care about, why engagement and enjoyment are game-changers for retention, and the advice Alex has for fellow educators who want to make their classrooms more connected and dynamic.

We’re sitting down with Associate Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hawkins for an amazing conversation on what summer really looks like in school leadership.

We’ll dive into how collaborative leadership shapes the school experience for both staff and students, and how we can take that summer momentum and launch into a strong new school year.

On this episode, we were joined by Ames High senior and class of 2025 graduate Chantal Eulenstein. We had an amazing conversation about the many honors she has received for writing, starting a student newspaper club at the middle school, and the importance of student voices.